Here’s how the tactic works:

A thief targets a parked car and places an empty plastic bottle on one of its wheels — typically the front passenger-side tire.

The bottle is hidden from the driver’s view, but once the vehicle starts moving, the crackling noise alerts the driver that something’s wrong.

Naturally, the driver pulls over and exits the vehicle to investigate the sound.

That’s when the thief makes their move.

What Happens Next?
There are two potential outcomes:

The carjacker jumps into the running vehicle and drives away.

The thief grabs valuables left inside — like wallets, phones, or bags — while the driver is distracted.

In both cases, stepping out of the car without knowing the situation puts the driver at serious risk.

What You Should Do